Something on the Side: Hisense 65‚” LED

In the issue of Something on the Side, SEAN BACHER highlights the Hisense 65‚” LED TV, the Garmin Approach G6, Razer’s Kraken 7.1 gaming headphones, the RED-E Premium Edition 6,000mAh PowerBank and the Aqua Pod.

Hisense 65‚” XT880 Series Ultra High Definition

With larger-than-life images and an ultra-thin high-definition LED screen, the Hisense 65‚” UHD TV has a 2D-to-3D conversion option to get 2D movies jumping out at the viewer. It is also a Smart TV, meaning that it connects to the Internet and allows users to browse it through a built-in Opera browser. Admittedly, punching in a web address with the remote is frustrating, so an additional keyboard may be a good idea for serious Internet users. The Hisense hub presents Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Weather apps, allowing users to keep up with friends and family while not-quite-engrossed in their viewing.

Stockists: Makro and Hi-Fi Corporation

Expect to pay: R35 000

Garmin Approach G6

The Garmin Approach G6 works like a golf scorecard, but offers a range of additional features for golfers. It works off satellites, so switch it on, and by the time you have pushed a tee into the ground and selected a club, the G6 will display the golf course where you’re playing, and show the current hole. A 2D colour display lets users view the distance to the hole and shows elevation sand traps and water hazards. Once a user has hit the ball and walked to take the next shot the G6 automatically calculates how far the ball has travelled and the distance to the hole.

Expect to pay: R4 500

Stockists: Leading sports and electronics stores across South Africa.

Razer Kraken 7.1 gaming headphones

The Razer Kraken 7.1 gaming headphones offer 7.1 surround sound and are USB powered. The surround sound is delivered to a user’s ears via Kraken’s Synapse 2.0 software, offering a true surround sound experience and a feeling of 360-degree sound even when the game or movie only offers stereo. A retractable microphone is built into the left ear cup, allowing users to communicate with each other while playing a game.

Expect to pay: R1 200

Stockists: Leading electronic retail outlets across South Africa.

RED-E Premium Edition 6,000mAh PowerBank

The RED-E Premium Edition 6,000mAh PowerBank features a compact and elegant design with a black finish and a signature red cord. It can be used for charging smartphones and most other compatible tablets. The PowerBank is able to charge up to three devices at the same time. The charger comes with a micro USB charging cable and two USB outlets. Four LED power indicators help users judge how much charge is left in the PowerBank and when they need to recharge it.

Expect to pay: R700

Stockists: Visit www.omnico.co.za for ordering information.

Aqua Pod

The Aqua Pod uses a filter that turns ordinary tap water into spring quality water. The filter incorporates a Filtron filtration system that is claimed to remove up to 99% of bacteria, chlorine and any odours from tap water. In addition, it charges the filtered water with natural minerals and electrolytes that are found in mountain springs. Stockists: www.kickstarter.com

Expect to pay: R270 for one bottle and a six-month filter supply.

* Sean Bacher is editor of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter on @SeanBacher